Theme Of Foreshadowing In Of Mice And Men

John Steinbeck creates a character’s journey in his novella, Of Mice And Men, published in 1937, that reflects the true theme that everyone yearns a sense of companionship. The characters in Of Mice And Men, while also at this time period struggled with the great depression, racism, and equality, also have their own battles with loneliness. This novel portrays the lives of two migrant farmers, who truly only have each other. The reader gets a taste of all complications that George and Lennie face as they move around the country in search of work. With Steinbeck’s use of literary devices, we see the connections and messages throughout the book that present the reader with knowledge of what loneliness does to people.
With the use of character
dialogue, Steinbeck shows us how strong the feelings of loneliness are within the characters. Amongst Curley's wife's many attempts of conversation, she reveals her true feelings about living her life with Curley. “Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?” (page 77) This dialogue between Curley’s wife and the men divulge her loneliness from staying in the house all hours with no one to talk to. Steinbeck uses dialogue to convey curley’s wife's desperation for someone to talk to. Many of the men that work for Curley’s father feel threatened by what curley is capable if they create trouble with his wife, hence the reason they try to avoid any contact with her. the men that work on the ranch and Curley’s wife included are no strangers to the type of man Curley is, as proved in her continued dialogue, “Sure I gotta husban’. You all seen him. Swell guy, aint he? Spends all his time sayin what he's gonna do to guys he don't like, and he don't like nobody…” (Steinbeck, page 78) This evidence shows us that Curley's wife isn't necessarily flirtatious, but just desperate for an escape from her lonely living. The use of dialogue passes the importance of companionship during these difficult times. The use of dialogue passes the importance of companionship during these difficult times. Foreshadowing is a way of revealing at a future occurrence, in this case it hints loneliness within multiple characters.
As Carlson tried to convince Candy of the reasons his dog is of no use, “‘The way i’d shoot him, he wouldn't feel nothing. I’d put the gun right there.”’ he pointed with his toe. ‘Right back of the head. He wouldn't even quiver.’” (Steinbeck, 45) it shows that Candy isn't going to be the only one in this novel that loses a companion. This quote foreshadows an event that is going to happen towards the end of the book. Candy and his dog have a very similar situation to two other characters in the book, George and Lennie. As George converses with Lennie of all the plans they have together, causing Lennie’s face to light up with hope, he decides this is the best time to do what he has to do for the sake of them both. “And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger.” (Steinbeck, 106) Both killings were made out to be as peaceful and painless as they could be. Steinbeck made the situations to show that the murder of these characters was for the best. The two of them seemed to be more of a nuisance than a help and caused more trouble than needed. This foreshadowing shows people's feeling towards loneliness.
John Steinbeck creates a character’s journey in his novella, Of Mice And Men, published in 1937, that reflects the true theme that everyone yearns a sense of companionship with the use of character dialogue and foreshadowing, He used all the different personalities of his characters to reveal the theme. We see the cries for a companion from those lonely and for the characters in opposition, they take that company for
granted.